SEATTLE – Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden, chair of the Libraries, Utilities and Center (LUC) committee, today released the following statement in response to learning a former city employee has been arrested for a $1 million theft from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU):

“To say that I’m outraged over this revelation is an understatement,” said Councilmember Godden, the new chair of the LUC committee, which oversees Seattle Public Utilities.

“Immediate steps must be taken to recover funds. Although one cannot comment on the accused’s guilt or innocence, we must make sure that there are safeguards in place to protect the public’s money.

“I have been assured that SPU has immediately responded to this situation and instituted new tight financial controls and oversight.

“This must not, and cannot be allowed to happen ever again. In a time when dollars are scarce we must be more vigilant than ever. We will take a hard look at Seattle Public Utilities’ procedures to protect our taxpayers.”